21 Million Pounds and a Million Dollars of Corn

Around 375,000 bushels of corn were in the silo that collapsed on Sunday evening at Miami Valley Feed and Grain Co.

Each bushel weighs around 56 pounds. Each semi can hold about 1,000 bushels.

Cleanup, which has begun, will take some time.

According to NASDAQ, the current price of a bushel of corn is $3.50. That’s $1,312,500 worth of corn on the ground.

“This is a big disaster for the business,” said City Council member Ron Cobb. This business is a major part of the agricultural community in this area.”

A resident at the corner of 571 and Garfield St. said she had her blinds closed and saw a big flash through her blinds at about 11:20 Sunday evening.

DP&L crews were on the scene Monday morning trying to restore power to affected residents and businesses.

Emergency personnel report that they will have to take substantial detours to be able to serve the areas west of the grain spill.

A resident on Spinning Rd. told us that she heard the explosion and it shook her house.

Jim Sutherly, manager of the grain company, said that their immediate plan of action is to clear the road and move the corn onto the field at 571 and Garfield. Straw bales weighing about 600 lbs each are being brought in to serve as barriers to contain the corn.

Corn entered the front of the office and exited the rear.

The corn that spilled is now considered as contaminated from touching the ground.

All of the other silos at the grain elevator are full.

The concrete silos were built in the 1930’s. The silo that collapsed was built in the 1950’s or 1960’s.

AT&T reports that the utility poles on the south side of Rt. 571 are theirs, but they cannot do anything until the corn is removed.